A white plume rises from Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation Tuesday afternoon. After a day of intermittent dark smoke from the mill, Northern Pulp has confirmed that the effluent leak that shut down the facility for nearly two weeks has been repaired and production is ramping up once again. JOHN BRANNEN – THE NEWS

“The consultants have concluded effluent pumping and are concentrating on drilling monitoring wells and removal of solids from the wetland,” said Lori Errington of Nova Scotia Environment.

Northern Pulp said they are bearing the costs of the cleanup and pipe fix. MacKenzie noted it’s too soon to put a dollar amount on how much it, along with the nearly two-week shutdown of the mill, cost them.

“What I can say is that it’s significant,” he said. “I’m happy to report that there were no layoffs during the period of shutdown.”

But for some, including members of the Clean Up the Pictou County Pulp Mill Facebook page, the restart of Northern Pulp is reason to continue pressure on the government.

Matt Gunning, one of the founders of the page said that with a nearly 4,100-member page, there will always be differences of opinion.

“People get that we move from the blockade and continue now for the proper regulations to be put in place,” he said. “In general, the mill isn’t doing a whole lot wrong but where the actual problem lies is with Nova Scotia Environment’s regulations.”

Throughout the blockade in Pictou Landing and following the signing of the agreement in principle, the Facebook page has acted as a meeting place and starting point for tangible action.

“That was our intent. This is about effecting change and the only time there has been improvement is through direct public pressure,” said Gunning.

Northern Pulp began the preparations on a new precipitator earlier this month, expecting it to be completed and reducing dust from the mill in spring 2015. MacKenzie noted that work on the foundations of the new precipitator began at Northern Pulp during the recent shutdown.

“Some tracks were removed to make room for the precipitator and six foundation piles were driven into location.”

In addition to the precipitator, MacKenzie noted that the mill is working with the government on a long-term solution for an effluent treatment facility, but there are no details at this point.

“We have to reduce the amount of water we use and we’re currently looking into ways to reduce water use. This work is in the planning stages.”

The mill’s operating permit from Nova Scotia Environment was due to expire on April 19 but was extended by the department until Jan. 30, 2015.

Gunning hopes the broader community may be given opportunity to voice concerns to Northern Pulp and Nova Scotia Environment.

A white plume rises from Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation Tuesday afternoon. After a day of intermittent dark smoke from the mill, Northern Pulp has confirmed that the effluent leak that shut down the facility for nearly two weeks has been repaired and production is ramping up once again. JOHN BRANNEN – THE NEWS